The Writer's Life 12/23 - In Brief

Here’s a surprising and troubling stat from a brief article in today’s NY Post: Since 2002, deaths related to alcoholism in the USA have risen 37%. I wonder if the work force participation rate, at its lowest since the ’70’s, has anything to do with it. Geez, it sounds like a stat from the old Soviet Union.

Through nine bowl games, I have four wins, five losses in the ESPN pool. The odds of qualifying for a prize have gotten longer.

Congressional Republicans have again caved to the President on the budget and its obscene spending. They put up no fight at all, afraid a government shut down would be blamed, as usual, on them. I suppose they're hoping to gain veto-proof majorities in November. What if they don't? And people wonder why Donald Trump's candidacy has taken hold. He may prove to be as big a dud as the rest, but his outsider image at least gives his supporters a glimmer of hope that he can end the insanity.

The GOP needs somebody as tough as Jaromir Jagr. 43, he is still playing in the NHL (Florida Panthers), and doing better than men half his age. A few nights ago he scored his 732nd goal, which places him fourth on the all-time list. Last night he took a high stick that knocked out some teeth. Here's what he tweeted post-game. Remember, English is not his first language: "Dear Santa, can I get a new teeth for Christmas :) it's going to be tough to eat-good -at least I don't get fat :)))" And here's a pic:

The floating book shop had had good luck with weather since mid May. Now it's had two straight rain-outs and a possibility of three more, as the forecast predicts precipitation through the weekend. I guess we should be happy it isn't snow. I filled time by doing the last of my Christmas shopping, then trying to find a new desk for my computer. My old one sways back and forth, the screws stripped. I didn't spot any at Best Buy and the one at Staples was made for a corner. To my surprise, the huge selection of music and movies at BB has been trimmed considerably, replaced by a kitchen appliances section. I guess management has conceded to the digital download age,

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Website: http://vicfortezzaauthor.my-free.website/